Waterbury Mantel Clock

[Mr Upcycle]

Hi Everyone,

I have just added another Waterbury mantel clock to my collection, identical to the one I last posted about.

With both of these clocks, when I first removed the back cover I found a wire rod with a shepherds hook on the one end and the other just pushed into the side of the clock case.

I did not think this was original the first time and simply removed it.

Now that I have encountered this again, I am wondering what the intended purpose was, and can only assume this was to hold and clip over the pendulum arm to help protect the spring when being moved.

My collection of Waterbury clocks is now growing unintentionally as this new addition was purchased just for spares, but with a bit of TLC, it is keeping good time again and like the other one is in really good condition for its age. (100 years)

However I still have the problem from my first post about these clocks that I have two other mantel clocks with the same internal verge movements both of which have damaged/worn out/chipped verges.

As I am in the UK we do not have/or I cannot find any suitable spare parts.

So any further help on finding a replacement Verge and the data to use and methods of fixing would be most appreciated.

As so far, I have only been to find a couple of spares or repair clocks and with a basic service they been up and working again!

Thanks for your help

 

[lpbp]

You are correct the wires are to hold the end of the suspension spring when transporting, it"s so it doesn't tick and get the strike out of sequence. as to finding a verge you'll either have to use a replacement which rarely fit, or find a used one from someone.

good luck

 

[R. Croswell]

..... I have two other mantel clocks with the same internal verge movements both of which have damaged/worn out/chipped verges.

Your verge pictures are too fuzzy and do not show the worn/damaged surfaces so I can't really give specific advice. It is very seldom that a verge has to be replaced. There are two common solutions: 1) sometimes the escape wheel can be moved on its arbor so that the teeth contact an unworn part of the verge, 2) the ruts in the contact surfaces can sometimes be ground out and polished, but you may need to adjust the pallet spacing after the "repair".

RC

 

[Mr Upcycle]

Thank you both, Ipbp and R Croswell, for your comments and suggestions.

Good to know, I was right on what I thought the wire was used for.

However, still a bit strange how it is just pushed into the side of the clock case.

Regarding the condition of the Verges.

One of them is very bad and has been repaired before.

It looks like one section of the tip had broken off or been worn away and a new section soldered on.

The other verge, has a chip on the one side of the tip.

Both wheels in the movements look to be OK.